Burkina Faso has signed a strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates: the Dubai-based Mark Cables group is investing €180 million in a 200 MW thermal power plant, representing nearly half of the country’s current capacity. Mark Cables FZE announced on January 26, 2026, the start of construction on a 200 MW thermal power plant in Burkina Faso. This project, whose development phase was completed in just six months, marks a turning point in the country’s energy sovereignty, which has been hampered by a chronic deficit and a massive dependence on electricity imports from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

A Breath of Fresh Air for SONABEL

The National Electricity Company of Burkina Faso (SONABEL) will see its grid strengthened by 200 MW, equivalent to approximately 50% of its installed capacity in 2025 (around 400 MW). This thermal power plant, financed entirely by private capital under a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model, marks Mark Cables FZE’s entry into the West African Power Pool (WAPP) on January 24, 2026, in Lomé. This common market unites 15 ECOWAS member states to facilitate cross-border electricity trading. Furthermore, this regional energy collaboration will help stabilize the grid and meet the demands of demographic and industrial growth.

• Capacity: 200 MW, operational soon.
• Investment: €180 million (~$213 million), completed in 6 months thanks to close collaboration with the authorities.
• Regional integration: Connection to the West African Power Pool (WAPP), positioning Burkina Faso as a potential exporter.

Context: A strained electricity sector

In 2025, Burkina Faso imported nearly 50% of its electricity consumption, despite a 25% increase in solar production last year. The electrification rate remains stagnant at 34.2%, far from national targets and the sub-Saharan average. SONABEL plans to add 515 MW by 2028 through 12 regional power plants, but power outages persist in rural and peri-urban areas.

• Imports: Primarily from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, which are vulnerable to regional tensions.
• Structural deficit: Demand is rising (+10% per year) while supply remains insufficient.
• Mark Cables: A seasoned Emirati investor

Based in Dubai, Mark Cables FZE is positioning itself as a leader in electrical infrastructure in West Africa, with projects in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Already established in Burkina Faso through renovations, the group focuses on integrated solutions (generation, transmission, distribution).

The UAE, the leading investor in Africa

This project is part of the Emirati offensive: USD 110 billion invested in Africa (2019-2023), ahead of China, through private companies and development aid. The UAE is consolidating its presence in West Africa, following massive agreements with Chad and commitments to interconnections (USD 1 billion at the G20).

Prospects: Sovereignty and Regional Integration

The power plant will reduce dependence on imports and integrate into the WAPP (West African Power Pool, 14 West African countries), fostering future trade and exports. It complements the SONABEL plan (12 power plants, 515 MW by 2028) and solar advancements, aiming for a diversified energy mix.

Remaining Challenges:

• Maintaining the speed of implementation despite security instability.
• Accelerating rural electrification (currently <20%).
• Financing regional interconnections for a true common electricity market.

This mega-project illustrates the dynamic between the UAE and Burkina Faso: a rapid, public-private partnership serving enhanced energy sovereignty in a tense sub-regional context.